Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, in Jakarta, on Monday (11/04), stated that the Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, has met with the Ministry of Trade and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise to discuss the Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) Number 8 of 2024 following Sritex case that has been a hot issue in the industry.
The meeting focused on the textile industry and Permendag Number 8 of 2024, which is the third amendment to Minister of Trade Regulation Number 36 of 2023 on Import Policies and Regulations. However, Febri clarified that Trade Miniser Regulation 8/2024 is not only about the textile industry but also concerns other industries.
Febri dismissed claims that the meeting was a response to the Sritex case. “The issue with Sritex has been ongoing long before Permendag 8 was issued in May 2024. But the real issue surfaced with Permendag 8. This regulation relaxes the rules for importing textiles and textile products, including ready-made clothing,” he said.
Before the issuance of this regulation, Febri explained that imports were governed by Minister of Trade Regulation Number 36 of 2023, which set import policies and regulations. It included a restriction scheme using limited bans, with technical regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry.
This scheme was expected to help control imports and prevent foreign products from flooding the Indonesian market. However, with the introduction of Permendag 8/2024, Febri argued that it marked the beginning of the downfall of the textile industry. He pointed out that the regulation actually loosened import restrictions.
“People can now import ready-made clothes, ready-made hijabs, and ready-made shoes, and they are cheaper, right? Domestic industries that produce shoes and ready-made clothes will be at a disadvantage,” said Febri in conclusion.
